Dissertation Structure Explained: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing a dissertation feels huge — because it is. But break it down into its parts, and a big project becomes a sequence of manageable steps. This guide walks you through a typical dissertation structure (what goes where), what to include in each section, and practical tips to keep your writing focused and submission-ready.

Quick overview: the standard order:

Most dissertations follow this sequence (some programmes will tweak names or order slightly):

1. Title page
2. Abstract
3. Acknowledgements (optional)
4. Table of contents (plus list of figures/tables)
5. Introduction
6. Literature review
7. Methodology
8. Results / Findings
9. Discussion
10. Conclusion (and recommendations)
11. References / Bibliography
12. Appendices

Treat this as a flexible template — always check your university’s handbook for exact formatting, word limits and chapter names.

1. Title page:

What it is: the formal cover of your work.

Include: dissertation title, your name, degree programme, supervisor’s name, institution, department, submission date, student ID (if required).

Tip: follow the university template exactly — tiny formatting errors here can cost marks or require resubmission.

2. Abstract (150–350 words):

What it is: a concise summary of the whole project.

Include: research question/objective, methods, main results, key conclusion/implication.

Tip: write the abstract last (you’ll know what the “whole project” looks like then).

3. Acknowledgements (optional):

What it is: short thanks to supervisors, participants, funders, and family.

Tip: Keep personal tone professional and brief.

4. Table of contents & lists:

What it is: navigation for the reader — list chapters, subheadings, figures, tables, and appendices with page numbers.

Tip: generate the TOC automatically from heading styles so it updates as you edit.

5. Introduction:

Purpose: set the scene and tell readers what you’re doing and why.

Include:

• Broad context and relevance
• Narrowed research problem or gap in the literature
• Clear research question(s) or hypotheses
• Aims and objectives
• Scope/limitations and brief chapter map (what each chapter does)

Tip: make your research question(s) crystal clear — everything that follows should link back to them.

6. Literature review:

Purpose: show you understand the field and position your study within it.

Include:

• Thematic or chronological review of key sources
• Critical evaluation (strengths, weaknesses, debates, gaps)
• Theoretical framework or models you’ll use
• How your study fills the identified gap

Tip: be analytical not descriptive — synthesise sources and build an argument that justifies your research.

7. Methodology:

Purpose: explain how you conducted your research and why those choices are valid.

Include:

• Research design (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods)
• Data sources (primary, secondary) and collection methods (surveys, interviews, experiments, archives, datasets)
• Sampling strategy and sample size (if applicable)
• Data analysis methods (statistical tests, thematic coding, models)
• Ethical considerations and approvals
• Limitations of the chosen approach

Tip: Justify your choices. Examiners want to know why you used a method, not just what you did.

8. Results / Findings:

Purpose: present the evidence you collected — clearly and objectively.

Include:

• Tables, charts, and figures (with clear titles and references in the text)
• Key quantitative outcomes or qualitative themes
• Only present results here — leave interpretation for the Discussion chapter.

Tip: visualisations should clarify, not clutter. Label axes, include sample sizes, and point readers to the key takeaway.

9. Discussion:

Purpose: interpret your findings and link them back to literature and theory.

Include:

• Explanation of what the results mean in relation to your research question(s)
• Comparison with existing studies and theories (confirmations, contradictions, extensions)
• Theoretical and practical implications
• Reflection on unexpected findings and plausible reasons

Tip: use subheadings aligned to your research questions to keep the discussion organised.

10. Conclusion (and recommendations):

Purpose: wrap everything up and state the main contribution.

Include:

• Brief recap of the research aim and the most important findings
• Clear statement of your thesis/contribution to knowledge
• Practical recommendations (policy, practice, further research)
• Final reflective comment (limitations and future directions)

Tip: keep this concise and powerful — don’t introduce new data here.

11. References / Bibliography:

What it is: full citations of every source you cited.

Tip: Use reference management software (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote) and adhere strictly to the required citation style (e.g., APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA).

12. Appendices:

What it is: supplementary material that is useful but not essential in the main text (raw data, questionnaires, interview guides, extended tables, ethical approval documents).

Tip: refer to appendices from the main text (e.g., “see Appendix A for the questionnaire”).

Practical layout & word-allocation guidance:

Word limits vary, but a common distribution for a 10,000–20,000-word master’s dissertation looks like:

• Introduction: 10%
• Literature review: 25–30%
• Methodology: 10–15%
• Results: 15–20%
• Discussion: 20–25%
• Conclusion & recommendations: 5–10%

Adjust for PhD theses, which are longer and require deeper literature/theoretical chapters.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Waiting to write everything at the end — draft early and iterate.
• Mixing findings and discussion — keep reporting and interpretation separate.
• Poor structure or lack of signposting — guide the reader.
• Weak justification of methods — explain why your choices are appropriate.
• Inconsistent referencing or sloppy formatting — small errors look unprofessional.

Workflow tips & timeline:

1. Start with a brief proposal and chapter plan.
2. Create a realistic timetable (e.g., literature review first, methodology next).
3. Write in chunks — aim for drafts rather than perfect first versions.
4. Regularly meet your supervisor and act on feedback.
5. Reserve 2–4 weeks for final edits, formatting, and proofing.